Searching for a K-drama with plot twists and turns, betrayal, revenge, and passionate actors? We’ve selected these five makjang K-dramas guaranteed to hook you in. Compared to a slice-of-life show, a makjang series usually contains intense, over-the-top storylines, dramatic cliffhangers, and captivating characters.
Will ‘Red Swan’ be your next guilty pleasure? (Photo from: @disneypluskr)
5 makjang K-dramas that keep you guessing
1. Red Swan
If you’re a fan of the CEO X bodyguard romance trope similar to Blood Free, tune into the ongoing drama Red Swan.
Veteran actress Kim Ha Neul takes on the role of Oh Wansoo, a former golfing sensation. Struggling to clear her mother’s debt, she agrees to marry the heir to the Hwain Group, Kim Yongguk (Jeong Gyeoun). However, their marriage is far from perfect due to her husband’s infidelity. Still, Wansoo endures for ten years until she meets a bodyguard named Seo Doyoon (Jung Ji Hoon AKA K-pop icon Rain) who rescues her from a harrowing attack. She develops feelings for him, but Doyoon harbours a dark secret about his motivations for working for the Hwain Group. Is there hope for their budding relationship?
Our rating: 7/10. Stream Episodes 1 to 4 of Red Swan on Disney+. The show has 10 episodes and two new episodes will be out every Wednesday.
2. The World of the Married
The World of the Married holds the top spot in the list of the highest-rated K-dramas of Korean Cable TV. You can expect spectacular acting performances and shocking revelations.
Respected physician Dr. Ji Sun Woo (Kim Hee Ae) appears to have it all: a loving husband, a talented son, and a successful career. However, behind the facade of her perfect life lies a devastating truth — her husband, Lee Tae Oh (Park Hae Joon), an entrepreneur she helped build from the ground up, is entangled in an affair with Yeo Da Kyung (Han So Hee). After discovering this, she navigates the treacherous path of revenge. Will she pull off her plans and find peace in the end?
In the prestigious Baeksang Awards, Kim Hee Ae bagged the Best Actress award while Mo Wan Il won the Best Director award.
Our rating: 8/10. Stream The World of the Married on Netflix and Viu.
3. SKY Castle
With its powerhouse cast and startling twists, it’s no surprise that SKY Castle is another highly rated K-drama in Korea.
SKY Castle is an exclusive neighbourhood where the elite gather. The lives of mothers Han Seo Jin (Yum Jung Ah), Noh Seung Hye (Yoon Se Ah), Jin Jin Hee (Oh Na Ra), and Lee Myung Joo (Kim Jung Nan) are centred on doing everything within their power to help their kids enter the nation's top universities. Their “normal” lives take an unexpected turn when Myung Joo dies after her son's acceptance into Seoul National University. Her now vacant home is filled by the unconventional Lee Soo Im and her family. Soo Im challenges the toxic parenting norms of SKY Castle and uncovers its dark secrets, including ones surrounding a college entrance exam coordinator named Kim Joo Young. Can she successfully help the kids?
SKY Castle won Best Director - Television (Jo Hyun Tak), Best Actress - Television (Yum Jung Ah), Best Supporting Actor – Television (Kim Byung Chul), and Best New Actress – Television (Kim Hye Yoon) as well as multiple nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Our rating: 9/10. Stream SKY Castle on Netflix and Viu.
4. The Penthouse: War in Life
Deceit, illicit affairs, murder — brace yourself for all these and more while watching The Penthouse. It has three seasons full of unpredictable and engrossing storylines.
Similar to SKY Castle, the show centres on a luxurious place called Hera Palace which has 100 floors. The residents hold various secrets and hidden ambitions. Sim Su Ryeon (Lee Ji Ah), was born into wealth and is the queen of the penthouse apartment. Cheon Seo Jin (Kim So Yeon), the prima donna of the residence, does all she can to give everything to her daughter. Oh Yoon Hee (Eugene) comes from a poor family background, but she strives to enter high society. Who will win in the battle for wealth, power, prestige?
Kim So-yeon won Best Actress - Television for her role in the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Our rating: 9/10. Stream The Penthouse: War in Life on Netflix and Viu.
5. Misty
Love brilliantly written scripts and top-notch acting? Binge-watch Misty which offers complex scenarios and fantastic performances from the cast.
Go Hye Ran (Kim Nam Joo) is a driven and ambitious news anchor, renowned for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her life takes the turn for the worse when a chance encounter with her former lover and his wife leads her to become the prime suspect for a murder case. Her husband, Kang Tae Wook (Ji Jin Hee), finds himself torn between his professional duty as a former prosecutor and public defender and the desire to save his crumbling marriage. Will they be able to find the true mastermind behind the murder and restore their relationship?
Kim Nam Joo won Best Actress in the Baeksang Arts Awards and the series was also nominated for the Best Drama category.
Our rating: 8/10. Stream Misty on Netflix.
(Cover photo from: @disneypluskr, netflix.com)
On the lookout for lighthearted titles? Check out these variety shows starring BTS members.
Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected].
Related Articles
